Morane-Saulnier N: The First French Military Fighter Aircraft
The Morane-Saulnier N stands as a seminal model in aviation history, marking France’s foray into the development of single-winged fighter aircraft. Crafted in 1913, this pioneering aircraft played a crucial role in the early days of World War I, offering both the French and British forces a tactical advantage in the skies.
Crafting an Avant-Garde Warrior
Constructed in the year 1913, the Morane-Saulnier N was not only France’s inaugural fighter aircraft but also a testament to innovative engineering of the time. It served on the front lines during the initial stages of World War I, filling a critical gap in the British military arsenal as a reconnaissance aircraft due to the UK’s lack of similar machinery at the time.
Morane-Saulnier N Fighter Aircraft
Furthermore, this aircraft also made its mark within the 19th squadron of the Russian Air Force, albeit in limited numbers.
Mission Profile: Intercept, Reconnaissance, and Dogfighting
The primary missions of the Morane-Saulnier N encompassed interception, reconnaissance, and engaging in aerial combat. This aircraft was equipped with a Hotchkiss 7.7 mm or 7.9 mm machine gun, later transitioning to the Vickers gun. A significant advancement was its incorporation of a synchronization mechanism allowing the gun to fire through the propeller blades without causing damage. Initially, due to an imperfect synchronization mechanism, metal deflector plates were attached to the propeller blades to prevent misfired bullets from damaging them. This aircraft was also notable for being the first to feature a single-seat configuration with a machine gun directly attached to it, moving away from previous models that required an additional gunner seat.
Dubbed “the bullet” for its distinctive large pointed spinner at the center of its propeller, the Morane-Saulnier N had a unique aerodynamic profile.
Machine Gun on Morane-Saulnier N
Engineering Challenges: Cooling in the Heat of Battle
The aircraft’s large nose spinner posed challenges in engine cooling, particularly in warmer climates, affecting its operational efficiency.
Constructed primarily from wood, the Morane-Saulnier N boasted a top speed of 165 km/h, a flight duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes, and a service ceiling of 4,000 meters.
Initially deployed for observation and reconnaissance purposes, the Morane-Saulnier N cemented its place in combat history when Roland Garros, its first combat pilot, engaged in aerial combat actions in 1915. This historic engagement took place on April 1, 1915, near the Strait of Dover in Belgium, marking the aircraft’s debut in dogfighting.
Two French pilots, Navarre and Pegoud, achieved “ace” status during World War I, each downing five or more enemy aircraft while piloting the Morane-Saulnier N, etching their names and that of the aircraft into the annals of military aviation history.
